Penguin Plunge
Jan. 1: Welcome the New Year by taking a plunge into the Susquehanna River with hundreds of other supporters of the Humane Society of Harrisburg to help give animals homes in central PA. The 27th annual event begins at 10 a.m. on City Island beach in Harrisburg with the actual plunge at noon. www.humanesocietyhbg.org
Scavenger Hunt
Jan. 1-31: Kids ages 0-12 are invited to New Cumberland Public Library, 1 Benjamin Plaza, for a month-long scavenger hunt to locate cold climate animals hiding inside the library to keep warm. Find all the cold climate animals around the children’s room and win a fun prize. www.newcumberlandpa.org
Winter Discovery
Jan. 1-31: Visit the Olewine Nature Center at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, to see special exhibits and activities that highlight some of Wildwood’s animals in winter, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Follow self-guided signs along the Towpath Trail and learn the natural history of the park and animals in winter. www.explorewildwoodpark.org
Photo Display
Jan. 2-26: View photographs entered in Friends of Wildwood Park’s annual contest in the Olewine Nature Center, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, during business hours. Vote for your favorite photos. Winners will be announced at the reception on Jan. 14 at 1 p.m. People’s Choice Award winners will be named at the show’s conclusion. www.explorewildwoodpark.org
Get Fit
Jan. 2-29: Start the New Year right with Capital Blue Cross Connect, 4500 Marketplace Way, Enola, for a series of in-person and virtual wellness and fitness classes. Sign up for a variety of classes including yoga, barre, Pilates and tai chi. Find a full list of classes on their website. www.capitalbluecrossconnect.com
Freedom Exhibit
Jan. 2-June 2: “Pursuit of Freedom—The Abolition of Slavery” is now on display at National Civil War Museum, One Lincoln Circle, Harrisburg. This exhibition highlights early attempts to abolish slavery in the United States and actions that ultimately ended slavery with the 13th Amendment, only after a devastating Civil War. www.nationalcivilwarmuseum.org
Winter Edibles
Jan. 4: Join a Wildwood Park naturalist for a hike at Detweiler Park, 1451 Peters Mountain Rd., Dauphin, 2 to 3:30 p.m., with a focus on trees and edible winter foods. Become familiar with a variety of common species and a few recipes you can try at home. Dress for the weather. Cost is $5 and space is limited. www.explorewildwoodpark.org
Calm the Mind
Jan. 4, 11, 18, 25: Start the New Year learning short, easy 15-minute calming meditations at Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill, on Thursdays, 12 to 12:30 p.m. www.fredricksenlibrary.org
Volunteer Preview
Jan. 6: In support of Martin Luther King, Jr. National Day of Service, join the East Shore Area Library, 4501 Ethel St., Harrisburg, to learn more about volunteer work being done by members of the local community, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Explore area agencies and organizations, and learn how to volunteer for your community. Giveaways and snacks will be provided. www.dcls.org
HBG Flea
Jan. 6: Shop the HBG Flea for local art, vintage treasures, curated curios and unique gifts, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Strawberry Square, 320 Market St., Harrisburg. The mission of the HBG Flea is to create a platform for community growth by bringing artists, small businesses and patrons together. www.hbgflea.com
Book Sale
Jan. 6, 20: Friends of the New Cumberland Public Library, 1 Benjamin Plaza, will hold pre-owned book sales on the first and third Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Foundation House, across the shared parking lot from the library. Find books, vintage items, jewelry, DVDs, CDs, kids’ books, vinyl records and more. www.cumberlandcountylibraries.org
Farm Show
Jan. 6-13: The PA Farm Show, the largest indoor agricultural show in the nation, returns to the PA Farm Show Complex and Expo Center, N. Cameron and Maclay streets, Harrisburg. Milk a cow, enjoy a Farm Show milkshake, learn firsthand the science and skills used in agriculture, and discover some new events and features. www.farmshow.state.pa.us
Art Show
Jan. 7: Visit the State Museum, 300 North St., Harrisburg, on the closing day of the “Art of the State” annual juried exhibition. At 2 p.m., meet artists Kirsten Olson and Joseph Opshinsky and explore their unique styles. www.statemuseumpa.org
Coffee Talk
Jan. 7: Local musician Doug Morris will share a public presentation about “What Actors Can Teach Us About Society” at Cornerstone Coffeehouse, 2133 Market St., Camp Hill, 2 to 4 p.m. www.thecornerstonecoffeehouse.com
Photo Tour
Jan. 8: Hershey Horticulture Society hosts “Four Season Garden: A Photographic Tour” with Kevin Kelly, Penn State Master Gardener, at Brownstone Lodge, Hershey, at 1 p.m. The program is free and open to the public. www.hersheyhorticulture.com
Winter Stories
Jan. 8-Feb. 26: Take the whole family to Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill, 11 to 11:30 a.m., for the Winter Children’s Storytime series. Storytime engages kids, ages 2 and older, in fun, dynamic early learning activities with books, songs and movement. www.explorewildwoodpark.org
Lecture Series
Jan. 9: Save the date for Wildwood Park’s “PA Natural Wonders” at 110 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Join Marci Mowery, president of the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation, for an in-person lecture to learn more about these special places in the keystone state. www.explorewildwoodpark.org
Computer Basics
Jan. 9, 16, 23, 30: Join Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill, for a series of beginning computer classes. Learn Microsoft Word on Jan. 9, Microsoft Excel on Jan. 16, Microsoft PowerPoint on Jan. 23, and Google Suite on Jan. 30. www.fredricksenlibrary.org
Evening Mixer
Jan. 11: Network with area business professionals at West Shore Chamber of Commerce’s evening mixer at Healthy You Café, 4500 Marketplace Way, Enola, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The event is free and open to chamber members. www.wschamber.org
Food Rally
Jan. 11: Enjoy fresh, savory foods at the New Cumberland Food Truck & Restaurant Rally every second Thursday of the month, 5 to 8 p.m. Grab dinner from area food trucks or New Cumberland restaurants, and enjoy shopping and special promotions at local businesses. www.newcumberlandpa.org
Film Friday
Jan. 12: Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill, will show “Gonzo: The Life and Work of Hunter S. Thompson” at 2 p.m. Watch the film at the library and stay for a moderated discussion. www.fredricksenlibrary.org
Curiosity Kids
Jan. 12, 26: Kids ages 3 to 6 are invited to the State Museum of Pennsylvania, 300 North St., Harrisburg, to learn about gooey and oily liquids on Jan. 12 at 11:30 a.m. and about light on Jan. 26 at 11:30 a.m. Curiosity Kids events are included with museum general admission, but space is limited. www.statemuseumpa.org
Birds & Coffee
Jan. 13: Stop by the Nature Center at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, for a cup of coffee, tea or hot cocoa, 10 to 11 a.m. Join a naturalist and Appalachian Audubon to observe and count common feeder birds as part of Project FeederWatch. www.explorewildwoodpark.org
PA Rocks
Jan. 13: Explore rocks of Pennsylvania at the State Museum, 300 North St., Harrisburg, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Trace the path of sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rock through the rock cycle and experiment with rocks to discover the qualities that make them unique. Then make a “kindness” rock to take home or share. www.statemuseumpa.org
Tonight’s Sky
Jan. 13, 14: Join the planetarium director at the State Museum of PA, 300 North St, Harrisburg, at 3 p.m. to explore what you can see in the night sky. Learn about the basic motions of the sky, visible constellations and planets and special celestial events. www.statemuseumpa.org
MLK Service Day
Jan. 15: Save the date for the annual Central PA MLK Day of Service, with projects taking place throughout the Harrisburg area. Visit the Central PA MLK Day of Service website for details about the opening ceremony and this year’s events. www.mlk-365.org
Girls who Code
Jan. 16, 23, 30: Hershey Public Library, 701 Cocoa Ave., Hershey, hosts Girls Who Code, a program for girls in grades 6 to 12 to use computer science to impact their community, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Girls will build skills in teamwork, confidence, time management, communication and more. www.hersheylibrary.org
3rd in The Burg
Jan. 19: Explore the best of Harrisburg during 3rd in the Burg, the monthly arts and culture event, where you can visit and enjoy galleries, restaurants and art spaces throughout downtown and Midtown, 6 to 9 p.m. www.thirdintheburg.org
Painting at the Park
Jan. 20: Join Friends of Wildwood for the sixth annual “Painting at the Park” to create a moonlight boardwalk piece at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, 1 to 3 p.m. Cost is $25 per person, with proceeds going to Friends of Wildwood. Materials provided; pre-registration required. www.explorewildwoodpark.org
SnowFest
Jan. 21: Kick off the new year at Juniata Valley YMCA’s 13th Annual Snow Fest and Polar Plunge at Greenwood Furnace State Park, 15795 Greenwood Rd., Huntingdon, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. www.jvymca.org
Discover Winter
Jan. 21: Young explorers ages 5 to 10 are invited to Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, 2 to 3:30 p.m., for Kids Discover to explore life in winter at Lykens Glen Park. Discover wildlife still active in winter, go on a scavenger hunt, and attempt some fun winter science experiments. www.explorewildwoodpark.org
Legislators’ Forum
Jan. 24: Harrisburg Regional Chamber and the West Shore Chamber of Commerce host the 2023 Legislators’ Forum, featuring area members of the state House of Representatives, at the Hilton Harrisburg, 1 N. 2nd St., 8 to 10 a.m. Cost to attend is $70 or $50 for members. www.harrisburgregionalchamber.org
Author Talk
Jan. 25: The Center for Holocaust and Jewish Studies at Penn State Harrisburg will host a virtual book talk by historian Rebecca Erbelding about her book, “Rescue Board: The Untold Story of America’s Efforts to Save the Jews of Europe.” The webinar will begin at 12 p.m. and is free and open to the public. www.jewishharrisburg.org
Burns Night
Jan. 27: Scottish Society of Central Pennsylvania will host the 68th Annual Burns Night Supper, a celebration of the life, poetry and music of the Scottish bard. Enjoy dinner, Burns poetry, bagpipe music, haggis procession, live entertainment and an opportunity to wear a kilt. A social hour will be held 5 to 6 p.m., followed by dinner. www.pennscots.org
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